Top 5 World Cup goals

The abundance of goals at the 2014 World Cup evened the all-time mark in the 84-year history of the World Cup at 171.

As the goals came fast and furiously, so did the number of quality strikes that left fans breathless from the group stage right through to the final match.

Here are the best goals from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:

Robin van Persie vs. Spain

Holland's opening goal of the World Cup against Spain continues to stand as one of the top goals of the tournament. Robin van Persie's perfectly placed header over a helpless Iker Casillas propelled his country back into the match after they conceded a penalty. It was called the goal of the tournament at the time, and the argument can still be made when you consider Daley Blind's delivery to the Dutch striker and the phenomenal header.

Lionel Messi vs. Iran

Lionel Messi's winning goal in the group stage will haunt Iran's players and fans for years to come as the Middle Eastern nation had its World Cup dreams extinguished in stoppage time by the Barcelona star. Messi's devastating strike curled around the keeper and into the net with just three minutes remaining. It was too much for some Iranian players to handle as they fell to their knees in disbelief.

David Luiz vs. Colombia

While this year's tournament featured far more wonder goals from open play than tallies from set-pieces, David Luiz's thunderous shot from 35-yards out against Colombia will be remembered as Brazil's last glorious moment of the tournament. The Brazilian center back unleashed a shot with the inside of his boot and left David Ospina with little time to react as the ball burst into the back of the net.

Tim Cahill vs. Holland

Moments after Australia conceded the game's opening goal, Tim Cahill levelled the match and sent his nation into a frenzy with an unbelievable volley past Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen. Like Robin van Persie's goal against Spain, the delivery to Cahill deserved just as much credit as the strike.

James Rodriguez vs. Uruguay

In terms of difficulty and importance, James Rodriguez's goal against Uruguay in the round of 16 solidified his spot on the world stage after receiving praise for his remarkable performances in the group stage. Rodriguez calmly corralled a pass with his chest and launched the ball toward the net before it hit the ground. The Uruguayan keeper got a touch with his fingertips, but the ball slipped under the crossbar and gave his country the lead. It was his first of two goals in the match as Colombia advanced to the quarterfinals.

BONUS: Mario Götze vs. Argentina

Mario Götze is a German hero. Manager Joachim Löw brought the 22-year-old on  to replace legendary striker Miroslav Klose late in the final and now, the young midfielder will live on in history after his composed strike in extra time brought Germany its fourth World Cup title. André Schürrle played provider as his cross into the Argentine box found Götze, who then controlled the pass with his chest and thumped the ball past a helpless Sergio Romero to provide a burst of excitement for German fans around the world.